Energy Transition and Carbon Markets Specialist

Job Description

KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Energy Transition and Carbon Markets Specialist
Position Type: part-time 
Duration/Level of Effort: short term 
Position Location: remote-based 

SUMMARY ABOUT THE PROJECT
Field Support Services Project (FSSP) is a five-year project (October 2019 – October 2024) funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and managed by Cowater International. FSSP provides administrative, financial, procurement, and logistical services as well as support to the in-country development programming for the Government of Canada through the provision of technical specialists in gender equality, governance and human rights, and environment and climate action and assisting GAC in procuring and managing local development initiatives. These programs will take place in Indonesia and the ASEAN regions.

SUMMARY OF POSITION
Canada and Indonesia share 70 years of collaboration. Canada is committed to strengthening its relation with the Indo-Pacific region through its Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS). Canada’s IPS places building a sustainable and green future as one of its key strategic objectives This is why, promoting climate and green growth is a key focus of Canada’s development cooperation with Indonesia.

At the 2021, G7 Leaders’ Summit, Canada announced the doubling of its international climate finance commitment, to $5.3 billion over the next five years (2021-2026). This commitment will particularly help low and middle-income countries already affected by climate change, such as Indonesia, to transition to sustainable, low-carbon, climate-resilient, nature-positive and inclusive development.

At the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP27 in 2022, Canada announced two new initiatives helping developing countries, including Indonesia, transition to clean energy, funded under Canada’s $5.3 billion climate finance commitment (see Canada supports the global transition to clean and secure energy with investments to phase-out coal electricity around the world - Canada.ca ).

At the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November 2022 a joint statement was issued by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia (GOI) and the Governments of Japan, the United States of America, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, the Federal Republic of Germany, the French Republic, Norway, the Republic of Italy, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (together the “International Partners Group” or IPG). The statement announced a new Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) with the Government of Indonesia to accelerate its clean energy transition in an inclusive way. Canada, as an IPG member, is committed to help Indonesia advance its energy transition objectives. For example, Canada is contributing to coal phase-out and the clean energy transition in Indonesia through its CAD $1 Billion commitment to the Climate Investment Fund’s Accelerating Coal Transition Program, of which Indonesia was one of the first recipients.

Canada’s bilateral development assistance program in Indonesia covers the following objectives and sectors:
1) mangroves restoration and protection through nature-based silvofishery (see Project profile - Nature-based Solutions for Livelihoods in Mangrove Landscapes - Canada.ca (international.gc.ca);

2) sustainable landscape management, including peatland management, watershed management and climate-smart agriculture (see Project profile - Land4Life (Sustainable Landscape for Climate-Resilient Livelihoods) - Canada.ca (international.gc.ca);

3) coral reef ecosystems management, biodiversity and community resilience (see Project profile - Oceans for Prosperity – Indonesia - Canada.ca (international.gc.ca);

4) integration of blue carbon sector in green house gas accounting (see Project profile - Enabling Blue Carbon in Indonesia - Canada.ca (international.gc.ca);

5) develop innovative new financial risk models associated with climate change exacerbated flooding; develop living laboratories for scientists to test new methods to protect and rehabilitate critical peatland and mangrove ecosystems; and, support the development of policies on carbon taxes, and carbon cap and trade programs (see Project profile - Flood Impacts, Carbon Pricing and Ecosystem Sustainability - Canada.ca (international.gc.ca); and,

6) foster innovative financing for gender-responsive climate businesses (see Project profile - Tropical Landscape Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable Development Goals - Canada.ca (international.gc.ca)
The Embassy of Canada to Indonesia requires the services of a Energy Transition and Carbon Markets Specialist for Indonesia to provide support to the Government of Canada’s engagement in energy transition and carbon market issues in Indonesia.

Objectives

The Energy Transition and Carbon Markets Specialist (the Consultant) will work with the Embassy of Canada in Jakarta. Responding efficiently and effectively to specific requests for:

1. Up-to-date sectoral knowledge and analysis in the field of energy transition and carbon markets. This input will help inform Canada’s strategic interests in Indonesia, HQ decision-making, and dialogue with Canada and the Government of Indonesia (GoI).
2. Strong climate-change and energy analysis to GAC’s program/project planning, monitoring and synergies. This input will help to implement Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy and Indo-Pacific Strategy.
   

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Working under the direction of the Embassy of Canada in Jakarta, the expected services of the Energy Transition and Carbon Markets Specialist will include, but not be limited to:

1. Provide evidence-based analysis and advice that contributes towards sectoral knowledge. This includes, but is not limited to:

• identifying new plans and priorities of the Government of Indonesia.
• regular updates and analysis on development or policy/regulatory changes in the sector.
• assessing Canada’s planned support to Indonesia against Canada’s strategic interests (and collecting relevant information to feed into this assessment).
• developing and maintaining networks with key actors and respectively providing GAC with observations gained from participation in meetings and other events with GoI and other actors in Indonesia.
• donor mapping, projects mapping and/or stakeholders mapping.
• advisory prior to meetings/consultative meetings/policy dialogues in a timely manner.
• knowledge dissemination of briefs and analysis.
• discussion with relevant GAC headquarter Specialists as appropriate.
• Participating in meetings as required and providing summaries and analysis to the Embassy.
  

1. Program/project planning support, monitoring, and synergies. This includes, but is not limited to:

• reviewing project proposals, reports and implementation plans by providing Indonesia context, identifying opportunities and barriers, identifying lessons learned/best practices from other projects in the field.
• identifying project’s synergies with other development projects.
• Monitoring energy transition and carbon markets projects.
  

1. Developing and maintaining networks. This includes, but is not limited to:

• initiating contact and meetings with key relevant actors within the energy transition sector including but not limited to government, donors, CSOs, private sector and international financial institutions.
• participating in seminars/meetings/workshops related to energy transition in Indonesia, particularly as they relate to the governance of the sector.
• participating in energy-related donor meeting(s).
  

1. Providing general support for the operation of GAC’s field office activities in Indonesia. This includes, but is not limited to:

• database support and data collection on energy transition and carbon markets.
• documents review and editorial support.
• organising meetings, documenting meetings/visits with photos, writing event updates for social media or further publications, and writing meeting reports.
  

1. Providing oral and written briefings on any of the above services through ad-hoc and regular meetings/conference calls with GAC’s Indonesian Program, GAC HQ specialists, and team.
2. Any other relevant tasks as assigned by the GAC.
   

Deliverables/Outputs

The Energy Transition and Carbon Markets Specialist (the Consultant) is expected to work in close cooperation with GAC’s Program Sector Team Lead to produce deliverables as follows:

• - Policy updates and analysis
• - Donor mapping, projects mapping and/or stakeholders mapping
• - Documents review
• - Meeting minutes and documentation
  
  
  

JOB REQUIREMENTS
GAC requires the services of a national expert in with specific energy transition and carbon markets expertise as well as broader climate and environment knowledge. This includes:

1. Energy transition. Solid knowledge of, and professional network with, Indonesian institutions/ think tanks/private sector/international banks/donors/influential actors in clean and/or renewable energy, and energy transition.
2. Energy transition governance. Extensive knowledge of the governance of the energy transition sector in Indonesia, including the ability to provide in-depth analysis of existing challenges, barriers and opportunities within the sector.
3. Carbon Pricing and Carbon Markets mechanisms: Solid knowledge of Indonesia’s development of carbon taxes, and carbon cap and both national and international trade programs.
4. Climate mitigation. Strong knowledge of, and professional network with, Indonesian institutions/ think tanks/ influential actors in climate mitigation. Knowledge of GHG emissions accounting and carbon pricing is an asset.The Consultant is responsible for the quality of all reports that s/he produces and submits.
   
   

Competencies

• Extensive knowledge of the energy transition sector and carbon markets in Indonesia, especially the governance and dynamics within the sector.
• Knowledge of the legal and regulatory frameworks around energy transition and carbon markets issues in Indonesia.
• Ability to provide strong evidence-based analysis advice to the embassy on energy transition in Indonesia, especially around governance, barriers, dynamics, challenges and opportunities within the sector.
• Strong knowledge of the Indonesian energy transition policies and programmes, methodologies, technologies and practices, and socio-economic and cultural context. Reference documents for the Indonesian energy regulations and policies include            National Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL), Indonesia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
• Strong knowledge of international developments and global commitments on clean energy and climate change, including global agreement, methodologies, and technologies and practices.
• Ability to self-learn new subject areas in the field of clean energy.
• Ability to deliver high-quality reports or assessments in a short time.
  

Required skills and experience

The Consultant is expected to possess skills and experience in the following areas:

• Post graduate degree directly related to energy or climate change.
• Minimum 15 years of professional work experience as technical expert, analyst or advisor in energy programming.
• Strong and demonstrated networking with Indonesian Government, in particular with Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Forestry, Ministry of Finance, relevant private sector entities, international financial institutions (e.g. World Bank and Asian Development Bank), donors and civil society organizations.
• Demonstrated track record in providing strategic inputs and analysis to relevant stakeholders on energy transition.
• Strong knowledge of the Indonesian energy and climate change mitigation policies, carbon pricing, state of progress in meeting climate change and energy commitments.
• Strong knowledge of the international developments on climate change issues, including latest development in international carbon market, and energy transition.
• Demonstrated track record in report writing (in English)
• Strong analytical skills, writing and strategic thinking
  The following skills and experience will be an asset:
  
• Good understanding of blended finance for climate and environment objectives, financing and micro-insurance.
• Good understanding of project development and results-based management.
• Experience working with the Government of Indonesia, development banks, and donors.
  

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS
The Consultant will work from his/her home base with virtual meetings/interviews with GAC colleagues and external experts. The Consultant is expected to rely on his/her expertise, conduct an extensive literature review, and as necessary perform triangulation through discussion with stakeholders.
The Consultant will report to Climate Change Sector Lead of Indonesia Program at the Embassy of Canada to Indonesia (Jakarta). In the event that travel to other regions or cities is necessary, all necessary costs will be borne by GAC, through the Indonesia/ASEAN Field Support Services Project (FSSP), following the approval of a travel plan and associated budget.

1. Duration of the Contract
   The Consultant is expected to start on May 2025. The total expected duration of the assignment is up to 35 days until 31 August 2025. All reports must be finalized and submitted within this period.
   
   Payments will be processed monthly upon the presentation of a timesheet and invoice detailing the level of efforts for each deliverable.
   
   

How to apply:

Interested individual consultants must include the following documents when submitting the applications to admin@fssproject.com latest by Friday 16th of May 2025.

1. CV indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
2. Brief statement as to why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment and highlighting their professional networks working on Energy Transition and Carbon Markets.
3. Financial Proposal shall be submitted in the following format:

• - The financial proposal should specify an all-inclusive daily rate for up to 35 working days;
• - The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract, including: the daily professional fee and when applicable any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract, not including travel expenses.
• Qualified women are encouraged to apply. Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s) about the outcome or status of the selection process.

About the Organization

ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017. 

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.